Freedom of the Borough

The Local Government Act 1972 allows the Council to confer the title of Honorary Freeman on “persons who have, in the opinion of the Council have rendered eminent services to the Borough”. 

The Council, on rare occasions, may choose to confer the Freedom of the Borough on organisations or objects where they are organisations linked to the borough which have rendered eminent services to the Borough.

There must be a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members present at a meeting of the Council specially convened for the purpose of granting the Freedom of the Borough. 

Decisions to agree nominations will be made at a specially convened Full Council meeting for this purpose by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting

Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour which will only be awarded in exceptional circumstances where the prospective recipient is an individual or organisation of distinction that has rendered eminent services to the borough.

They will have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the borough and/or on the international stage which have brought pride and satisfaction to the borough.

The Council has granted the Freedom of the Borough to the following persons:

Paula Radcliffe MBE - Conferred June 28, 2004

Paula Radcliffe MBE was given the Freedom of the Borough in recognition of the outstanding contribution made by her in athletic achievement and for her inspiration to the young people of the Borough and beyond. Paul was a student at Loughborough University, where she studied French, German and economics.

Michael Jones - Conferred September 29, 2008

Michael Jones was Leader of Charnwood Borough Council from 1995 to 1999 and Joint Leader between 1999 and 2003. He was elected as Mayor of the Borough in 2004-05.

Michael stood down at the 2007 Borough Elections after 36 years serving as Councillor for the Loughborough Hastings Ward.

He has lived in Loughborough all his life and received an Honorary Degree from Loughborough University in 2004 for Services to the Community.

Lez Cope-Newman - Conferred June 24, 2019

Lez Cope-Newman is a founder member and director of Love Loughborough, also known as the Business Improvement District. The organisation works with town centre businesses and others to improve trade in the town centre.

He has lived in the borough for most of his life and has owned and managed several businesses locally. Mr Cope-Newman has also undertaken a significant amount of work to raise money for charities including the Breast Care Unit at Glenfield Hospital, Loughborough Beacon Rotary Club and to support people with Down’s syndrome and their families. That work has followed from his earlier activities in youth work.

Leicester City Football Club - Conferred September 14, 2021

On September 14, 2021 the Freedom of the Borough was bestowed upon Leicester City Football Club in recognition  of the Club’s eminent services to the Borough and its people.

The Club won the Emirates FA Cup for the very first time in the Football Club’s history in 2021. They defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium in the final on Saturday May 15, 2021. The Club then won English football’s three major honours – the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup – across its 137-year history. After 137 years of waiting, they lifted the world-famous trophy to the skies following a 1-0 victory over UEFA Champions League finalists and subsequent winners Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Saturday May 15, 2021.

Leicester City Women’s team, who have play their home games in Quorn, in the 2021 season also delivered inspirational success with promotion to the Women’s Super League after winning the Women’s Championship.

The Club’s training facility is a £100m development on the site of the former 185-acre Park Hill golf course, off the A46. It is based within the Charnwood Borough Council boundary and the Club have developed strong community links. Therefore, on this basis, it was fitting that the Club be conferred this civic honour.

Freedom of Entry to the Borough of Charnwood

Freedom of Entry to the Borough of Charnwood has been awarded to: 

• The Royal Anglian Regiment - Conferred September 2006
• 158 (Royal Anglian) Transport Regiment, The Royal Logistics Corps - Conferred April 2010

"To mark this occasion the Regiment will be invited to march through the Town of Loughborough with Drums Beating, Bands Playing, Colours Flying and Bayonets Fixed." 

Dignitaries were invited to attend the ceremony and parade at which the Mayor (Joe Tormey in 2006 and Roy Brown in 2010), would present the charter granting the Freedom of Entry to the Colonel in Chief, this was followed by a March Past, a Band Concert and a Civic Reception.